"Did Evony kill him?" Trick asked when Bo and Lauren informed him of Rein's death later in the morning on a comms call.

"Trick!" Lauren chastised.

"Don't put anything past that woman! Especially, where Ari is concerned. Given what we know about Rein and his questionable business dealings she could easily justify it as a 'Honor Killing' for bringing disgrace to the Marquis family." Trick said as Ryan crawled over his back.

"I would hope to think even Evony is above fratricide." Lauren replied.

"You do remember this is Evony we're talking about here." Bo reminded.

Suddenly, Ethan and MaryAoife came running past with Eva right behind them followed by Char.

"What's going on?" Lauren asked.

"We are playing 'Fortress' so Eva and I are monsters that need to be stopped while Ethan as the Grand Knight saves the realm with his fellow knights." Trick replied.

"Who taught them that?" Lauren asked.

"Dyson. He used a siege he fought back in the 1800's as a basis for the game." Trick replied.

"Remind me to tell Dyson to use less violent examples!" Lauren said.

"Die! Monster! Die!" Ryan said as he pummeled Trick with his nerf-like sword.

"Ryan Hale McCorrigan!" Lauren yelled. Ryan stopped immediately, and both Bo and Trick looked at Lauren surprised.

"Lauren! It's just a game." Bo reminded.

"Yeah, I know. I guess I'm just a little sensitive right now." Lauren replied.

"Okay, buddy. Your Mother doesn't like this game. We need to stop now." Ryan started to cry. Trick lifted himself off the floor and picked Ryan who promptly buried his head into Trick's shoulder. Lauren exhaled. Then Ryan lifted his head and reached out for Lauren and became frustrated he couldn't actually touch her and cried some more. The Seneschal quickly appeared.

"Just in the nick of time." Trick said as he handed Ryan over to the Seneschal and they took him away into the next room followed by his siblings. After they left, Bo turned to Lauren.

"I'm sorry Lauren. We won't play that one again." Trick said.

"I shouldn't have yelled at him. It's just…there's so much reality to what they're saying." Lauren replied.

"You don't need to explain, Lauren. We understand. You haven't been with them in nearly six weeks. Do you want us to bring them back early?" Eva replied. Lauren took in a deep breath.

"No. They're enjoying themselves." Lauren replied.

"Are you sure?" Eva asked.

"I'm sure. They love spending time with you as you do with them. I don't want to take that time away." Lauren replied.

"Well then, back to the matter at hand. Is there anything else that Elena knows about Rein's death." Trick asked.

"Aside from the methodology?" Lauren asked.

"What do you mean? Methodology?" Eva countered.

"His throat was ripped open by what they believe were claws." Lauren replied.

"You said there was a methodology?" Eva asked again.

"Yeah, they said there were distinctive markings left on his body." Lauren replied.

"Do you have any visuals?" Eva asked.

"Yes, in fact." Lauren replied.

"Can I see them?" Eva asked.

"I have to warn you, they're graphic." Lauren warned.

"Lauren, I fought in the War of the Five Monarchs." Eva reminded. Lauren swiped the air and pulled up Rein's autopsy records and displayed visuals of his naked body which had ripping marks all over it. It was clear Rein did not go down without a fight. Eva reached up, selected a visual and zoomed in on a specific area and squinted her eyes.

"You recognize something?" Lauren asked.

"This marking looks familiar but I can't place it. Trick, what about you?" Eva asked.

"Doesn't ring a bell." Trick replied.

"How can you make out any sort of pattern?" Bo asked. "Looks like a ton of defensive wounds."

"You're right, but see this?" Eva pointed to an area on one of the visuals." This is a specific pattern."

"I didn't know you knew so much about autopsies." Bo said.

"From a legal point of view. In order to be a Taioseach you must be learned in the laws of Realm, from a defensive and well as offensive point of view." Eva replied. Bo nodded. "This marking is intentional, like a branding. The killer is definitely arrogant to leave such a mark." Eva contemplated.

"Doesn't think he'll get caught?" Bo asked.

"Perhaps. This particular mark seems so familiar to me but I simply cannot place where I've seen it before." Eva replied.

"You've provided a lead that no one else has picked up yet." Bo said.

"Does this mean we can rule Evony out?" Lauren asked.

"Why do you still care?" Bo asked with more than a hint of sarcasm.

"I dunno. Maybe because I'm still her Doctor!" Lauren replied with equal sarcasm.

"Hippocratic Oath I suppose?" Bo snarked.

"Yes, Bo that!" Lauren admonished.

"Okay! Is there something going on between you two?" Trick asked.

"No." Bo said as she and Lauren looked at one another.

"No." Lauren added.

"Well, there's some irritation there." Eva said.

"Clearly. When are your next series of meetings?" Trick asked. Bo and Lauren launched into their schedule for the next week, and after day two Trick held up his hands in surrender.

"Okay! Look, let me make a suggestion. Take the next few days just to be together." Trick said.

"Trick! I have been gone nearly six weeks already. I can't afford to take more time away." Lauren protested.

"You haven't been gone from you job Lauren, you've just been gone from your family that's all." Trick noted. Lauren exhaled.

"Lauren." Trick said softly. "This is the Presidium. You are fighting as if you are on a clock. You have to stop thinking of time and schedule as if you are on a clock."

"Well, I am really. I'm not Fae who can live for thousands of years. I'm Human trying to fit the best way I can, making the best of what I can in a world that's so fantastical that it boggles even the best of imaginations!" Lauren replied in frustration.

"Are you having second thoughts? About the Presidium?" Bo asked. Lauren looked straight at Bo.

"Is it because you might one day be a Companion in Rule?" Eva asked. Lauren gave Eva a look that confirmed that may have been the true issue.

"What does that even mean? Seriously?" Lauren asked. "I, Doctor Lauren Lewis, a Human am supposed to follow The Queen Consort, arguably the most powerful Fae in existence, and co-rule a Realm of 200 billion Fae." Bo went up to Lauren and rubbed Lauren's shoulders and arms.

"Okay, let's slow all this down. I'm sorry about being snippy. I shouldn't have been."

"No you shouldn't." Lauren replied. Bo smiled.

"I understand you're frustrated about lot of things right now. You've been gone for nearly six weeks from those whom make you feel safe and grounded, working non-stop to save the Prescotti Homelands, and by extension the Realm from a catastrophic contamination. You have had a lot of shocking news about your parents, and their possible involvement in some grand design against the Realm. Not to mention, you were nearly stabbed to death a little over three months ago. Your schedule over these many weeks would knock down a bull, plus you are taking on more and more responsibilities here at the Presidium and that's starting to weigh on you. You need some time to yourself. Remember? Like what I used to make you to do before all of this?" Bo reminded.

"I agree. And Bo you need to go with her." Trick added. Bo looked at Trick surprised. "You both need it."

"I agree. Don't just rush back in. You've just reunited yesterday. Take some time to reconnect with one another, and in a few days, with the children." Eva said softly.

"Can you even afford the time off?" Lauren asked.

"I will make the time. Trick and Eva are right. Let's just leave all of this." Bo replied.

"Where should we go?" Lauren asked.

"Might I recommend The Falshage Aquilaria plane?" Eva replied.

"Aquilaria? Sounds plant-based?" Lauren queried.

"It is. Nothing but beautiful forests. When Edel was alive, he and I would go there. It is one of the most tranquil places in all of the Realm." Eva replied.

"Clear the schedule! Head there for a few days, reconnect, and when you're ready we'll send the four amigos to join you." Trick said. Bo and Lauren smiled and joined hands.